Detroit Lions tackle Jeff Backus. / Matthew Emmons, US Presswire

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

Backus, the Lions left tackle, will miss the first game of his career today, ending a streak of 186 starts, a streak that started in 2001

A sore hamstring is keeping Backus out of today's Thanksgiving game against Houston. Riley Reiff will start at left tackle for the Lions.

Backus and his family are at Ford Field. They took pictures on the field before the game on what will be an extremely unusual day for Backus. Not only did he start every game of his career in the NFL, he also started every game for the University of Michigan between 1997-2000.

When Backus' streak of games started in Ann Arbor, he was protecting the blind side of quarterback Brian Griese, who was backed up by Tom Brady.

Other notable inactive players for Thursday's first game include Houston cornerback Jonathan Joseph, who was ruled out after testing his sore hamstring several hours before kickoff; Houston running back Ben Tate, who was aiming to return this week from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the last three games; and Detroit wide receiver Titus Young, who was deactivated for disciplinary reasons.